Mamaroneck Avenue Elementary School, Additions and Alterations

Mamaroneck, New York

Firm

Geddis Architects

Client

Mamaroneck Union Free School District

Area

19,900 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$5,932,250

Completion Date

09/2006

Built in the 1920s, this two-story, 10-classroom wing (five kindergartens and five first grades) adds 20,000 square feet to a public elementary school in Mamaroneck, N.Y. The building already had been expanded three times over 80 years. Reluctant to extend its length again, the architect and district decided to laminate new construction against a high gym wall. The masonry facade includes sand-colored brick to match the 1920s portion, but also includes rock-face brick to accentuate the horizontal scale of the addition.
This new wing consolidates the youngest children in their own domain. Using the gym wall, the concept includes a skylighted, two-story commons. The double-height commons has matching window shapes to the classrooms, each with its own entrance awning. The teachers’ requirement for as many activity “corners” and “learn via play” zones as possible resulted in classrooms with two ceiling heights: 12 feet on the daylight side and 9 feet on the corridor side. The design accommodates 18 students in up to six learning zones.